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Inspiration for a Long Weekend Getaway

15 August, 2016

One member is planning to use points for a long weekend overseas, and is seeking some destination inspiration. Based in Sydney, this member would like to leave Australia on a Friday and return in time to return to work on Monday morning.

I’m looking for some inspiration for a weekend getaway. My thoughts are call in sick on a Friday/Monday and then be able to escape for a self-induced long weekend. The ideal situation for me would be somewhere that allowed me to head to airport around 7/8pm on a Thursday/Friday (straight after work). And get back before 10pm on a Sunday/Monday (ready for work the next day). Any ideas or places we can visit would be greatly appreciated.

Our members were quick to recommend a wide range of destinations for the weekend sojourn, from Fiji to Japan!

For a long weekend, it’s hard to beat New Zealand. From the east coast of Australia, the land of the long white cloud is just a three hour flight away. For the skiing and spectacular scenery, Queenstown is a popular destination. However, there are very few night flights in or out of Queenstown. This makes it difficult to maximise the holiday when you only have the weekend. By contrast, Auckland has many daily flights throughout the day.

I think Auckland is the easiest destination to maximise a weekend overseas, you can leave SYD after 6PM on a Friday and fly back Sunday evening. Award availability in J is rarely a problem.

For a short beach getaway, there are numerous islands in the Pacific within a four-hour flight of Australia. Fiji, Noumea and Vanuatu have all received recommendations. Lord Howe Island is another possibility, although it is extremely difficult to get a reward seat there.

Although the flying time to Asian destinations would be longer, it is also possible to enjoy a long weekend in somewhere like Hong Kong or Japan. Overnight flights are available in both directions from Sydney to Hong Kong and Tokyo, making it easier to maximise the time away. These also happen to be fantastic destinations in their own right.

It is possible to have a weekend in Japan or Hong Kong, leave Thursday night and back overnight Sunday.

While not officially an overseas destination, one member suggests spending the weekend closer to home in Tasmania.

Not international again, but have you thought about Tasmania? Well worth a visit to Hobart and surrounds. Granted, no snowboarding nor balmly weather. But great food, wine etc..

Have you travelled overseas during a long weekend? Perhaps you’d like to in the future? Join the discussion HERE.